Deciding what colour cushions to choose can feel overwhelming — but it doesn’t have to be. With a few simple principles, you can create a palette that complements your space and reflects your style.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything — from how to use your surroundings for inspiration to matching your cushions with the mood or colour of your sofa, bed or outdoor setting.
Start by looking at your space
Before choosing cushion colours, take a moment to observe your surroundings. Whether you’re styling a living room, bedroom or outdoor area, the existing colours in your space will help guide your choices.
Look at your walls, flooring, artwork, accessories — even the view outside if you’re styling an outdoor space. Cushions and cushion covers are a great way to echo these tones and tie everything together.
You don’t need to match perfectly — but picking up one or two colours already in the room can make your cushions feel right at home.
Consider your sofa, bed or outdoor setting
The largest piece in any space — whether it’s your sofa, bed or outdoor lounge — will naturally influence which cushion colours work best. Start by deciding if you want your cushions to blend in or stand out.
For a soft, tonal look, choose colours that are just a few shades lighter or darker than your base piece. For contrast, try colours that pop — like elegant earthy olive on beige, warm and moody rust on navy, or soft contrast with cream on charcoal.
Both approaches can look beautiful — it just depends on the mood you want to create.
Match your mood, not just your colours
The colours you choose don’t just influence how your space looks — they shape how it feels. Warm tones like rich and earthy terracotta, mustard and rust create a cosy, welcoming atmosphere, while cooler shades like cool and classic blue, sage and charcoal feel calm and grounding.
You might even shift your palette with the seasons. Richer colours work beautifully in autumn and winter, while softer tones and airy neutrals can freshen things up in spring and summer.
Think about the mood you want to create — then choose colours that support it.
Tonal, complementary or contrasting?
Once you’ve chosen a base colour — whether it’s your sofa, rug or something else — there are a few ways to build your cushion palette around it:
Tonal palette
Uses shades from the same colour family. For example, a navy sofa might pair with soft blue, denim and deep-toned charcoal cushions for a layered, tone-on-tone look.
Complementary palette
Combines colours from opposite sides of the colour wheel. Think sage with blush, or bold and warm mustard with navy — it adds energy without clashing.
Contrasting palette
Uses bold combinations that stand out. Try rust against cool contrast with grey, or olive green against cream for something with impact and personality.
What colour cushions for your sofa
Now that you know the basics, here’s a quick guide to choosing cushion colours based on your sofa. Whether you want soft tones, bold contrast or something in between, these suggestions will give you a stylish place to start.
Cushion colours for a grey sofa
Grey sofas are incredibly versatile — almost any colour can work with them. For a soft, tonal look, try pairing with charcoal, silver or muted and elegant taupe. To warm things up, add rust, mustard or terracotta. Or go bold with cool and deep navy, blush pink or even forest green.
Explore our collection of cushions for a grey sofa to find colour combinations that suit your style.
Cushion colours for a black sofa
A black sofa makes a bold statement, and your cushions can either soften or sharpen the look. Add contrast with lighter tones like cream, beige or soft and modern blush, or introduce texture with boucle or relaxed natural linen in natural shades. For a dramatic palette, try deep rust, olive or ochre.
Browse our range of cushions for a black sofa for ideas that bring warmth and balance to dark seating.
Cushion colours for a brown sofa
Brown sofas bring warmth and depth to a space — and your cushions can either highlight that or provide contrast. Try soft and inviting beige, cream or olive for a relaxed, earthy feel. Add navy or rust for a richer, more dynamic palette. Patterns in terracotta, mustard or elegant gold tones also pair beautifully.
Discover our curated cushions for a brown sofa to find colours that complement your space.
Cushion colours for a dark grey sofa
Dark grey sofas offer a sleek, modern base for styling. You can keep things tonal with cool and clean silver, charcoal or deep denim, or brighten the space with clay, mustard or vibrant forest green. Layering neutrals like cream or taupe can also soften the overall look.
Explore our range of cushions for a dark grey sofa for colours that bring balance and interest to deeper tones.
Cushion colours for a green sofa
A green sofa is bold yet grounding — and works beautifully with both earthy and refined palettes. Pair with neutrals like cream, linen or taupe for a calming look, or add warmth with rust, mustard or terracotta. Blush pink, dusty lilac or a lovely soft peach can bring a softer contrast.
Find inspiration in our collection of cushions for a green sofa, curated to complement a wide range of green tones.
Cushion colours for a beige sofa
Beige sofas are beautifully versatile — they pair effortlessly with both warm and cool tones. Try layering tonal shades like soft and calming ivory, oat and sand for a soft, relaxed look. For contrast, introduce bold and earthy burnt orange, olive, navy or even eye-catching black and white to add definition and depth.
Browse our range of cushions for a beige sofa to explore colour combinations that suit your space.
Cushion colours for a blue sofa
Blue sofas range from soft and coastal to deep and dramatic — and the right cushions can bring either mood to life. For a tonal look, pair with fresh and airy duck egg blue, sky blue, or navy. For a fresher palette, try beige, rust or classic blue and white combinations — even coastal-inspired tones like ivory and sand.
Explore our curated cushions for a blue sofa to find colours that complement your style.
Final thoughts
There’s no perfect formula for choosing cushion colours — just a few thoughtful choices that can bring a space to life. Whether you’re drawn to soft neutrals, bold contrast or something in between, the right palette starts with what feels right to you.
If you’re unsure where to begin, try exploring our colourful cushions for ideas, or jump into our cushion sets for ready-made combinations designed to make styling simple. Our guide on how to arrange cushions might also help with ideas. And remember — cushions are easy to swap, so don’t be afraid to experiment and refresh with the seasons.
